What does tusking mean?
Tusking means using tusks to thrust, grip, or grapple. The word is especially associated with elephants, which may tusk one another during pushing contests, territorial confrontations, or attempts to establish dominance, but it can describe any animal using its tusks in this way. Tusking can also convey vigorous, forceful movement and may be used figuratively when people or organizations compete aggressively. The word is the present participle of the verb tusk and is less common than the noun tusk, a modified or projecting tooth. Its vivid specificity makes it useful in descriptions of animal behavior, while its figurative use can suggest stubborn confrontation or energetic rivalry. Although the pronunciation is straightforward, the term is easily confused with tucking because of its spelling.
verbTo use tusks to thrust, grip, or grapple, especially in a pushing or wrestling movement.
- Using tusks to thrust, grip, or grapple, especially in a forceful pushing or wrestling movement.
"The two elephants were tusking in the dust."
"The two elephants were tusking in the dust."
"The old bull was tusking through the undergrowth."
Two elephants meeting tusk to tusk are, quite literally, tusking.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does tusking come from?
Tusking was formed in English by adding the present-participle suffix -ing to tusk. Tusk descends from Old English tusc, meaning “tooth” or “tusk,” and belongs to a Germanic word family with cognates including Old Norse tosk and Dutch tusk.
How tusking is actually used
Tusking is relatively uncommon and is most often used for elephants or other animals with prominent tusks. It can evoke aggressive pushing, grappling, or rivalry and may also be used figuratively in informal writing.
Easily confused with tusking
Tusking involves using tusks, whereas tucking involves folding, enclosing, or securing something.